Optical sensor array

ABSTRACT

A switching array is disclosed that has a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers having phase shifting mirrors. The switching array may be used for providing a device and system that has optical signal processing of sensing, a serialization and protocol interface, that has increased gray scale levels and sensitivities, pixel polarization detection, higher speed, lower power requirements and provides optical or electrical output for holographic optical storage to a bus or network.

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No.61/218,236 filed on Jun. 18, 2009, the contents of which areincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed towards the field of optical sensorarrays. In particular the present invention is directed towards thefield of directly modulated-SLM used in optical sensor arrays.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) direct bandgap semiconductor material led to thefirst successful room temperature laser and remains one of the mostimportant types of lasers even today. Its success is largely because itshares nearly the same lattice constant as Ga_(1−x)Al_(x)As, whichserves as a barrier layer for a wide range of x when fabricated intoburied heterostructures. Because of both optical and carrierconfinement, and because GaAs can be readily p-doped and n-doped, thishas made GaAs lasers the most common of all semiconductor lasers. Thelaser output is centered at 850 nanometer wavelength in the visible redspectral region due to the band gap energy of 4.2 electron volts.

Now turning to Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), thefundamental difference between conventional edge-emitting semiconductorlaser diodes and VCSELs lies in their geometry. As the name VCSELimplies, it is a device that emits power perpendicularly from itssurface. More importantly, VCSEL wafers are fabricated usinglayer-by-layer deposition methods, followed by chemically-assisted ionbeam etching to faun planar arrays of pillar-shaped microlasers. Thegeometrical arrangement of their end reflectors consists of manyalternating high/low refractive index layers effectively making up apair of Fabry-Perot resonator mirrors. These mirrors can havereflectances >99%, deposited directly on both sides of a multiple QWactive region. VCSEL arrays are usually grown using Metal-OrganicChemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) techniques by sequentially depositingall of their layers and then etching away all layers down to thesubstrate, leaving a two-dimensional array of microlasers with diametersgenerally ranging from 5μ to 10μ. These microlasers generally have onlya few active quantum well layers (QWs) and therefore have low gain intheir light propagation direction, which requires them to have mirrorreflectances of >99%. However, since they have a small mirrorseparation, usually about 8μ, their single frequency operation isguaranteed. Two engineering problems that must be faced are attachmentof metallic electrodes within a dense 2D VCSEL array and removal of heatfrom the array when the VCSEL microlaser array is operated at a highduty cycle. Usually one electrode is attached to the non-emitting end ofeach microlaser, but the output laser beam must emit through theopposite face where a second electrode is attached and limits separationdistance between each microlaser. Typically, VCSELs have thresholdinjection current densities of J_(th)=5 to 7 kA/cm², but due to theirsmall size this translates to actual threshold current values ofapproximately 1 milliampere per microlaser with a typical power output≦0.5 milliwatt at 850 nm for a GaAs-based device. One important featureof VCSELs is the shape of the output laser beam, which can be controlledto make it highly circular and symmetric about its axis. This obviatesthe need for external astigmatic type beam correction that is generallynecessary in the case of edge-emitting diode lasers. While large 2Darrays may be etched onto a single substrate, the problem of effectivelycooling such large arrays remains.

Lasers are typically thought of as devices that emit optical power dueto stimulation of radiation as a result of optical gain produced by sometype of pumping mechanism. Such devices may be considered as oscillatorsthat generate external optical power in a highly directional beam withina narrow spectral bandwidth. However, all oscillators are amplifierswith feedback. Lasers are optical amplifiers with feedback provided bytwo or more mirrors. Those lasers having an open Fabry-Perot typeresonator oscillate near a well-defined center frequency ν_(o) withadjacent frequencies determined by the mirror spacing L, where such sidefrequencies are separated by: Δν=c/2L.

If it is desired that the device discussed above should not oscillate atall, a device may be built similar to a laser that suppressesoscillation by eliminating any feedback. Such a device can remain asstrictly an amplifier without feedback. Semiconductor optical amplifiers(SOAs) have all the features of a laser diode type device but it must beensured make sure they do not oscillate by equipping them withantireflective end face coatings and not exceeding pump input levelswhere they may tend to self-oscillate. The unsaturated gain coefficientin a SOA active region is given by:γ_(o)(ν)=(λ²/8πτ_(r))ρ(ν)[f _(c)(E ₂)−f _(v)(E ₁)]

where: τ_(r)=radiative recombination time; ρ(ν)=joint density of states;

[f_(c)(E₂)−f_(v)(E₁)]=degree of population inversion due to thedifference in occupancy factors for electrons in energy level E₂ ofconduction band versus electrons in energy level E₁ of valence band.

When an SOA is pumped by injected current, it behaves as a four-leveldevice, which means the gain coefficient γ_(o)(ν) depends upon injectedcarrier concentration, but in a totally nonlinear way. This makesanalysis difficult, but can be treated by considering operation at highgain, where the peak gain γ_(p) varies nearly linearly with injectedcarrier density. Then it is approximated:γ_(p)(ν)≈α(ν)[Δn/Δn_(T)−1]

where: α(ν)=absorption coefficient under zero current injection;Δn=injected carrier density; Δn_(T)=injected carrier density attransparency condition where gain just balances loss. Finally, anexpression for overall SOA unsaturated gain for an SOA length L givenby:G _(o)(ν)=exp[(Γγ_(o)(ν)−α(ν))L]

Here Γ is a confinement factor describing the ratio of power flowing inthe active device region versus total power flowing through the entiredevice. Now consider the nonlinear behavior of an SOA device which ischiefly controlled by the injected carrier density Δn. Specificallychanges in Δn can induce changes in phase associated with light passingthrough an SOA device. Conversely, the passage of an optical signalthrough an SOA can alter the gain by inducing changes in Δn.

The unsaturated gain coefficient denoted above by γ_(o)(ν) becomessaturated when power flows through an SOA. Gain media in whichhomogeneous broadening occurs is considered, and for which gainsaturates in the following manner:γ(ν)=γ_(o)(ν)/[1+2[(Φ_(v) ⁽⁺⁾+Φ_(v) ⁽⁻⁾)/Φ_(v) ^(sat)] Sin² kz]

where: Φ_(v) ^(sat) is the saturated photon flux in the z-directionalong the device, which is related to the optical intensity by:I_(v)=hνΦ_(v). The above expression allows for spatial hole burning inthe gain medium, which may become important when SOA VCSEL type devicesare considered.

The devices discussed above may be useful in variety of systems, howeverto date they have not been used to their fullest potential.

In optical communications, computing, and signal processingapplications, there is a need for switching devices and modulators thatcan exceed the speed of conventional electronics. Therefore there isneed for devices, which can switch or modulate an optical signal atspeeds far exceeding that of electronics.

Currently devices are charge coupled devices (CCDs) and complementarymetal-on-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. The density and speed of accessare typically inversely proportional in these devices. These deviceshave limited individual pixel control (e.g. optical power sensitivityand polarization). These devices require and complex electronics forpixel processing (e.g. sensing, serialization and protocol interfacing).

Therefore, there is need to provide a device and system that providesprocessing, sensing, serialization, a protocol interface, that hasincreased gray scale levels and sensitivities, pixel polarizationdetection, higher speed, lower power requirements and provides opticalor electrical output for holographic optical storage to a bus ornetwork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention may a method and system for opticalswitching.

An aspect of the present invention may be an switching array comprising:a substrate; a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasersmounted on the substrate; and a plurality of phase-shifting mirrorslocated above the vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; and aplurality of beam splitters located above the plurality of verticalcavity surface emitting lasers.

An aspect of the present invention may be a switching array comprising:a substrate; a vertical cavity surface emitting lasers located on thesubstrate; wherein the vertical cavity surface emitting laser has anoutput side; wherein the output side is coated with an anti-reflectioncoating; and a phase shifting mirror located proximate to the outputside

These and various other advantages and features of novelty thatcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, inwhich there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) and FIG. 1( b) are diagrams showing an optical switch, madein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is diagram showing an optical switch, made in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) made in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) made in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a VCSEL made in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a switching array made in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a two-dimensional switching arrayimplementing VCSELs.

FIG. 8 is schematic showing the implementation an optical switch in aholographic system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In the present invention use is made of controlled gain saturation in anSOA device to create a phase change in an optical signal as itpropagates in each direction along its z-axis. In the followingexpression, the flux forward z-axis direction is denoted by Φ_(v) ⁽⁺⁾and the flux in the backward direction is denoted by Φ_(v) ⁽⁻⁾:γ(ν)=γ_(o)(ν)/[1+2[(Φ_(v) ⁽⁺⁾+Φ_(v) ⁽⁻⁾)/Φ_(v) ^(sat)] Sin² kz]

An appropriate phase change may be created by use of a control beam at adifferent wavelength than that of the signal beam to drive the SOAdevice and to hold its phase for a certain specified period of time.However, the control beam will saturate the gain of the SOA inaccordance with the following relationship:ln [G _(o)(ν)/G(ν)]=ln {[1−(α(ν)/Γγ_(o)(ν))(1+Φ_(v) ⁽⁺⁾(z=0)/Φ_(v)^(sat))]/[1−(α(ν)/Γγ_(o)(ν))1+G(ν)Φ_(v) ⁽⁺⁾(z=0)/Φ_(v)^(sat))]}(α(ν)/Γγ_(o)(ν)).

In this expression, photon flux will be due mainly to the control signalwith intensity assumed to be stronger than that of the signal beam. Theinduced phase change due to reduction of gain by the control beam willbe imposed on the signal beam. This induced phase change is caused by achange in carrier density, which in turn produces a reduction indielectric constant. This incremental change in phase (dφ/dz) isgoverned by the change in refractive index (δn) given by:dφ/dz=k(δn)

through the change in dielectric constant (Δ∈) which is related tocarrier concentration by:Δ∈=−(Δne ²∈₀)/(m _(eff)ω²)

where: Δn=carrier concentration; m_(eff)=effective mass; ∈₀=free spacepermittivity e=electron charge; ω=angular light frequency=2πν=2πc/λ.This may be used in combining VCSELs with SOAs.

In addressing the need for fast optical switches, an embodiment of thepresent invention may be a fast optical switch 100 using a Michelsoninterferometer set up and a differential onset of optical nonlinearity.An embodiment of the optical switch 100 is shown in FIGS. 1( a) and1(b), the optical switch 100 may also be a Michelson Terahertz OpticalAsymmetric Demultiplexer (TOAD). FIG. 1( a) shows the arrangement of themirrors and path of the first and second input signals 22 and 24 in theoptical switch 100. FIG. 1( b) shows the arrangement of the mirrors andpath of the first and second control signals 32 and 34.

As shown in FIG. 1( a), the present invention comprises an originalinput signal 10, which strikes an optical splitting device, which may bea polarization beam-splitter 15. The present invention may furthercomprise a first mirror 12 and a second mirror 14, which may both bephase-controllable; and first and second output signals 26 and 28. FIG.1( b) shows the paths taken by the first and second control signals 32and 34. For clarity, the paths through the optical switch 100 of theoptical original input signal 20 and the optical first and secondcontrol signals 32 and 34 are shown separately in FIG. 1( a) and FIG. 1(b).

The optical switch 100 may have an input port 6 that receives theoriginal input signal 10 and an output port 8, where the first andsecond output signals 26 and 28 exit the optical switch 100.

The beam splitter 15 and first and second mirrors 12, 14 are arranged ina Michelson interferometer configuration as shown in FIGS. 1( a) and1(b). First mirror 12 and second mirror 14 are oriented at right angleswith respect to each other. The arrangement of the first mirror 12 andthe second mirror 14 is such that the original input signal 20 is splitinto first and second input signals 22 and 24 and directed to each ofthe two mirrors 12 and 14, where the first and second input signals 22and 24 are reflected back toward the beam splitter 15 and to the output.

At the output port 8, the first and second output signals 26 and 28 areincident on a photodetector 50, wherein the combined signal is convertedinto a photocurrent. At the output port 8, the first and second outputsignals 26 and 28 interfere with one another in a way that depends onthe phase shifts caused by first and second mirrors 12 and 14, as wellas the differential path length between the arms of the interferometer.Here the differential path length in the interferometer is configured toresult in either constructive or destructive interference of the firstand second output signals 26 and 28 at the output port 8.

In one arrangement of the optical switch 100, if the additional relativephase shift between the first and second output signals 26 and 28produced by the first and second mirrors 12 and 14 is zero, then theywill combine constructively, and if the additional relative phase shiftbetween the first and second output signals 26 and 28 caused by thefirst and second mirrors 12 and 14 is at 180°, then they will combinedestructively. In another arrangement of the optical switch 100, if theadditional relative phase shift between the first and second outputsignals 26 and 28 caused by the by first and second mirrors 12 and 14 isat zero, then they will combine destructively, and if the additionalrelative phase shift between the first and second output signals 26 and28 caused by first and second the mirrors is 180°, then they willcombine constructively. In any case, when two signals at the samefrequency travel in the same direction as plane waves, where one signalis delayed by an optical path difference d with respect to the other andare then recombined, the total intensity is determined by the followingrelationship:I _(total) =I ₁ +I ₂+2√(I ₁ I ₂)cos(|φ₂−φ₁|)where the relative phase difference |φ₂−φ₁|=(2π/λ)(|d₂−d₁|) and where dis the optical path length defined by: d=∫n ds integrated over a givenpath. When the optical path length difference |d₂−d₁| is an integermultiple of the wavelength λ, complete constructive interference occursfor a pair of beams having equal initial intensity I_(I)=I₂, but whenthe optical path length difference |d₂−d₁| is an odd integer multiple ofλ/2, complete destructive interference occurs. If the initial beams haveunequal intensity, less than complete interference occurs, as governedby the above relationship. In all cases, whether or not the relativephase shift |φ₂−φ₁| results in a destructive or constructive combinationof the first and second output signals 26 and 28 is the result of theoptical path length difference |d₂−d₁|.

The first and second mirrors 12 and 14 may be comprised of a nonlinearoptical material, which is capable of changing the phase of lightreflected from mirrors depending on the intensity of an optical control.For example, the mirrors may include a medium having a strong opticalKerr effect such as doped glass, and a back reflector, or a mediumhaving optical gain such as an SOA with a back reflector, such as SOA 40with a back reflector. The back reflector may consist of a cleaved faceton the back surface of each SOA 40, or alternatively a separate mirror.However, if such a separate mirror is used, an abrupt phase jump equalto π radians occurs upon reflection, which must be taken into accountwith respect to determining overall device behavior.

As known by those of ordinary skill in the art, when an SOA, such as SOA40 is biased with a constant external current of appropriate value, thenan amplifier can produce optical gain. Injecting a strong optical pulseinto the SOA 40 can cause depletion of the gain, which is accompanied bya change in index of refraction in the SOA 40, resulting in a phaseshift to light passing through the amplifier. The onset of the change inthe index of refraction in the SOA 40 can closely follow the rising edgeof the input optical pulse for rise-times as short as about onepicosecond. Therefore, the injection of a short optical pulse into theSOA 40 will cause a nearly instantaneous phase shift of light passingthrough an amplifier. The phase shift follows the falling edge of theincident optical pulse when returning to its original value, but followsthe recovery of the gain of the SOA 40 instead. This may typically occurover a time period of 25 to 200 picoseconds. Therefore, in response to ashort control pulse, the resulting phase shift will have a fast, nearlyinstantaneous (picosecond) onset, followed by a much slower (tens tohundreds of picoseconds) recovery to the original value of the phase.Though nonlinear optical material based on SOAs is described here, othernonlinear materials known to those of ordinary skill may also be used.

In the present invention, first and second control signals 32 and 34 areshort optical pulses which are individually directed by thebeam-splitter 15 to first and second mirrors 12 and 14, as illustratedin FIG. 1( b). The intensities of the first and second control signals32 and 34 are selected so that they each cause a 180° phase shift in thefirst and second output signals 26 and 28 with respect to the phase ofthe first and second input signals 22 and 24. As described above, thefast phase shift caused by the first and second control pulses 32 and 34is followed by a much slower recovery to the original phase. First andsecond control signals 32 and 34 are delayed in time with respect toeach other by an interval Dt, so that a 180° phase shift is first causedby first control signal 32 to first output signal 26, and then at a timeDt later another 180° phase shift is caused by the second control signal34 to second output signal 28.

In the embodiment of the interferometer optical switch 100, shown inFIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), when first and second input signals 22 and 24 arerecombined at the output port 8, they initially have no relative phaseshift, resulting in constructive interference. When first control signal32 is incident on mirror 12, first and second input signals 22 and 24have a 180° relative phase shift, resulting in destructive interference.Then, at a time Dt later when the second control pulse 34 is incident onmirror 14, first and second input signal 22 and 24 have a 360° relativephase shift, resulting again in constructive interference.

In a second arrangement, by making a small adjustment to thedifferential path lengths in the interferometer arms, the phasecondition can be changed so that the normal condition at the output port8 is destructive interference, and constructive interference occurs onlywhen the control signal produces an additional 180° phase shift. In thiscase, first and second input signals 22 and 24 are recombined at theoutput port 8 and they initially have no additional relative phaseshift, resulting in destructive interference. When first control signal32 is incident on first mirror 12 the first and second input signals 22and 24 have an additional 180° relative phase shift, resulting inconstructive interference. Then, at a time Dt later when second controlsignal 34 is incident on second mirror 14 and first and second inputsignals 22 and 24 have an additional 360° relative phase shift, thisresults again in destructive interference.

For example, in the second arrangement of the optical switch 100described above, using first and second control signals 32 and 34separated in time by a short time interval Dt, a corresponding shortsegment of the original input signal 20 of duration Dt can be switchedto the output port 8. The minimum size of the time interval Dt islimited only by the precision in timing the first and second controlsignals 32 and 34, and by the minimum duration of the rise time of thecontrol pulses. Intervals as short as approximately one picosecond arepossible to obtain with existing technology.

The reflection and transmission characteristics of the beam-splitter 15,and wavelength and polarization of the original input signal 20 and thefirst and second control signals 32 and 34, are chosen so that they willfollow the paths shown in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b). For example, ifbeam-splitter 15 is a polarization beam-splitter (PBS), then originalinput signal 20 may be launched at 45° linear polarization. Beamsplitter 15 could then reflect the vertical polarization component oforiginal input signal 20 toward the first mirror 12 and pass thehorizontal component of original input signal 20 toward the secondmirror 14. An optional Faraday rotator 35 may be inserted before eachmirror, and after a round trip through the Faraday rotator 35, firstinput signal 20 is rotated 90° to a horizontal polarization, which thenpasses through the beam splitter 15 to the output port, 8 and secondinput signal 24 is rotated 90° to a vertical polarization, which isreflected from the beam splitter 15 toward the output port 8. In thisarrangement, the first control signal 32 has a vertical polarization,and is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 15 toward firstmirror 12 and then back toward the input port 6 on its return path,where it may be blocked by a polarization filter 36. Similarly, thesecond control signal 34 also has a vertical polarization, and isreflected by the beam splitter 15 toward second mirror 14 and then backtoward the output port 8 on its return path, where it may be blocked bya filter 36, which is a polarization filter.

Alternatively, rather than using polarization filters 36, the angle ofthe first and second control signals 32 and 34 may be chosen so thatupon their return they do not spatially overlap with the original inputsignal 20 at the input port 6, or the first and second input signals 22and 24 at the output port 8, and can be blocked by spatial filters.

As another alternative, the routing of the first and second inputsignals 22 and 24 and first and second control signals 32 and 34 can beaccomplished by choosing their wavelengths appropriately and using awavelength-selective beam-splitter 15 and a filter 36 that is awavelength filter.

This Michelson interferometer described above can be implemented in avariety of ways commonly known to those skilled in the art, includingdiscrete optical components such as a polarization beam splitter 15 andsemiconductor optical amplifiers, and lenses for collimating the opticalbeams as well as for coupling the beams to the active region of the SOAs40. As described above, the back reflector 42 following each SOA 40could consist of a cleaved facet on the back surface of the SOA 40, or aseparate mirror. Alternatively, the interferometer can also beimplemented with fiber optics, including a 2×2 polarization coupler, andfiber-coupled SOAs, though this configuration needs to be stabilized andcontrolled to avoid random phase fluctuations caused environmentaleffects on the fibers.

Another embodiment of the Michelson interferometer is shown in FIG. 2.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the second optical switch 200, whichmay be used as a Michelson Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexer(TOAD), comprises a beam-splitter 15, and first ordinary mirror 11 andsecond ordinary mirror 13, the first and second ordinary mirrors 11 and13 are ordinary mirrors which are reflecting on both sides. The originalinput signal 20 follows the path shown, being split by beam-splitter 15into first and second input signals 22 and 24 which are reflected fromthe phase-shifting first and second mirrors 12 and 14. On the returnpath, the phase shifted first and second input signals 22 and 24 areagain split by beam-splitter 15 into first and second output signals 26and 28. The differential path length in the interferometer is configuredto result in either constructive or destructive interference of thefirst and second output signals 26 and 28 at the output in the samemanner as discussed above.

The additional phase shift caused by the first and second control pulses32 and 34 results in a segment of the original input signal 20 beingswitched to the output port 8, also in the same manner as describedabove. The duration Dt of the original input signal 20 switched to theoutput port is equal to the time difference of arrival Dt of the firstand second control pulses 32 and 34 at the phase-shifting first andsecond mirrors 12 and 14, respectively. The time difference of arrivalDt corresponds to the additional time-of-flight of the first controlsignal 32 as it traverses the distance Dx, represented by the dashedportion of the path shown in FIG. 2 between the beam-splitter 15 and thefirst ordinary mirror 11. Therefore, the duration of the switchingwindow Dt is determined by the distance Dx and the index of refractionalong the dashed path, as is well-know to those of ordinary skill in theart. Intervals as short as approximately one picosecond are possible toobtain with existing technology.

The optical switch 200 shown in FIG. 2 may also be implemented on anintegrated substrate 70 using SOAs 40 based on vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs) 55 with their top mirrors replaced byantireflection coatings, and the routing optics implemented with planaroptical circuits above the SOAs 40. Technology that could be used forthe planar routing circuits could, for example, be holographic elements,MEMs technology or silicon optical bench technology. The use ofintegrated technology would enable fabrication of this system in largearrays based on arrays of VCSELs 55.

Implementations of the optical switches 100 and 200, and the componentsof the phase-shifting first and second mirrors 12 and 14 are shown inFIGS. 3-7. The optical switches 100 and 200 may be formed using directlymodulated spatial light modulators (DMSLM) formed using SOAs 40. Theseare distinguished by utilizing cross-phase modulation (XPM) between thecontrol B signals that introduce depletion of the saturated gain in theSOAs which introduces the phase modulation to switch the A signalsdescribed earlier above.

In FIG. 3 a DMSLM 90 is shown. The DMSLM 90 may comprise the SOA 40, alens 46 and a mirror 47. In this configuration, a vertical cavity SOA(VCSOA) is used, as described earlier where it comprises a VCSEL typedevice with its end mirrors chosen to be antireflective such that itcannot oscillate and is therefore a multiple quantum well (MQW) typeamplifier. The choice of active gain medium will determine the operatingwavelength range of the VCSOA as noted earlier. Typical preferredmaterials are GaAs/AlGaAs operating at a central wavelength near 850 nm,or InGaAsP/InP operating over a wavelength range centered near 1550 nm.In FIG. 3, the output of the SOA 40 on first facet 41 is collimated by alens 46 and reflected back into the SOA 40 by the mirror 47. The SOA 40may have anti-reflection coatings 43 on its first facet 41 so as toreduce the reflectivity. The anti-reflection coating 43 may be made froma multi-layer dielectric stack and in FIG. 3 is located on the firstfacet 41 and second facet 49 of the SOA 40.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the DMSLM 90 may comprise an SOA 40with an anti-reflection coating 43 on the second facet 49 and noanti-reflection coating on the first facet 41. In this embodiment, thefirst facet 41 may comprise a cleaved facet of the type commonly used toform the mirrors of laser diodes.

As shown in FIG. 5, another alternative for the formation of spatiallight modulator is shown. The DMSLM 91, a vertical-cavity surfaceemitting laser VCSEL 55 may be modified to implement a phase-shiftingmirror, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, an ordinary VCSEL 55 is modifiedby forming an anti-reflection coating 43 on its output face 51, which isthe upper face shown FIG. 6. In this configuration, the modified VCSEL55 has a phase-shifting mirror, such as first mirror 12 or second mirror14, shown in FIGS. 1( a), 1(b) and 2 on its opposite face 52. The topsurface of the output end face 51 may have an anti-reflection coating43, with reflectance of much less than 0.01 percent or so to prevent anySOA 40 oscillation.

The DMSLMs 90, 91 when used in a holographic storage device require noflat-top generator. The further have the ability to provide a broaderrange of pixel intensity control, such as gray scale. Pixel control ofoptical signal power is also provided. The DMSLMs 90, 91 have theability to change polarization on individual pixels within a page of aholographic storage medium. Furthermore, the DMSLMs 90, 91 are a solidstate devices with no moving parts and can enable optical signal inputfor holographic storage from a bus or network.

An advantage of the modified VCSEL technology is that it may be made intwo-dimensional switching arrays 600 as illustrated in FIG. 6 by usingwell-known fabrication techniques. The side view of a two-dimensionalswitching array 600 based on modified VCSELs is shown in FIG. 7. At thebottom of the switching array 600 is a substrate 70 supporting an arrayof modified VCSELs 55 arranged side-by-side with anti-reflectioncoatings 43 on their output sides 51. Positioned above the VCSELs 55 arealternating double-sided mirrors 47 and beam-splitters 15, angledappropriately to couple light between optical fibers 65 located aboveand the modified VCSELs 55 located below. The array of mirrors 47 andbeam-splitters 15 may be made, for example, using planar holographicoptical elements, MEMs technology or silicon optical bench technology.Collimating lenses 46 may be located between the optical fibers 65 andthe mirrors 47 or beam-splitters 15. The path of the signal and control,operation of the phase shifting mirrors 47 (modified VCSELs in thiscase) and switching operation are the same as with reference to thesingle device described with respect to the optical switching devices100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and discussed above.

The switching array 200 may be used for providing a device and systemthat has optical signal processing of sensing, a serialization andprotocol interface, has increased gray scale levels and sensitivities,pixel polarization detection, higher speed, lower power requirements andprovides optical or electrical output for holographic optical storage toa bus or network.

FIG. 8 is schematic showing the usage of the optical switch in aholographic system 300. The holographic system 300 comprises VCSELs 55located proximate to the optical switches 100, which in the schematicare terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexers (TOADs). Placement ofthe TOAD arrays is shown in FIG. 8, where they perform two separatefunctions. The TOAD arrays 100, shown just below the VCSEL array 55provide shuttering and phase change if necessary. The TOAD arrays 100shown beneath the VCSOA array 5 perform signal processing afterreception by the VCSOA array 5 to eliminate scatter or incoherent noiseand may perform grayscale signal processing. The holographic system 300,further comprises a VCSOA array 5, a photorefractive crystal 22, a beamsteering device 4, a bulk erase laser 2 and a plane mirror 3. Beamsteering device 4 is used to steer a beam into the photorefractivecrystal 22 at 90°. The plane mirror 3 is used to redirect beams at 90°and in this instance to direct the beam from the bulk erase laser 2 intothe photorefractive crystal 22.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. A switching array comprising: a substrate; a plurality of verticalcavity surface emitting lasers mounted on the substrate; and a pluralityof phase-shifting mirrors located above the vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers; and a plurality of beam splitters located above theplurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers.
 2. The switchingarray of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vertical cavitysurface emitting lasers has an output side located distally from thesubstrate.
 3. The switching array of claim 2, wherein the output side iscoated with anti-reflection coatings.
 4. The switching array of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of phase-shifting mirrors aredouble-sided.
 5. The switching array of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof phase-shifting mirrors and the beam splitters are alternating.
 6. Theswitching array of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lenseslocated proximate to phase shifting mirrors.
 7. The switching array ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of lenses located proximate tothe beam splitters.
 8. The switching array of claim 1, furthercomprising optical fibers located above the plurality of phase-shiftingmirrors and beam splitters.
 9. The switching array of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of lenses located proximate to the opticalfibers.
 10. The switching array of claim 1, wherein the anti-reflectioncoating is made from a multi-layer dielectric stack.
 11. A switchingarray comprising: a substrate; a vertical cavity surface emitting laserlocated on the substrate; wherein the vertical cavity surface emittinglaser has an output side; wherein the output side is coated with ananti-reflection coating; and a phase shifting mirror located proximateto the output side.
 12. The switching array of claim 11, wherein thereis more than one vertical cavity surface emitting laser.
 13. Theswitching array of claim 11, further comprising a beam splitter locatedabove the vertical cavity surface emitting laser.
 14. The switchingarray of claim 12, wherein there is more than one phase-shifting mirrorsand more than one beam splitter.
 15. The switching array of claim 13,wherein the beam splitter is located proximate to the phase-shiftingmirror.
 16. The switching array of claim 11, wherein the output side islocated distally from the substrate.
 17. The switching array of claim11, wherein the phase-shifting mirror is double-sided.
 18. The switchingarray of claim 1, further comprising a lens located proximate to thephase shifting mirror.
 19. The switching array of claim 1, furthercomprising a beam splitter and a lens located proximate to the beamsplitter.
 20. The switching array of claim 1, further comprising anoptical fiber located above the phase-shifting mirror.